Page 117 of Vanish From Sight

“Of course,” Callie said.

McKenzie continued. “But I’m sure they’ll sing a different tune when the defense sees that video and they are faced with Delaney’s and Perez’s statements.” He jabbed a finger in the air. “Oh, and those red unknown fibers from the rope the M.E. found, well it looks like they’ll be a match to the carpet in the Ford Mustang belonging to Joshua Whelan. Yeah, these teens weren’t exactly bright.” He sniffed hard. “Throw in the restored serial number of Adam Tomlin’s father’s gun and I can see Ricky Patel and Benjamin Kim folding like a cheap suit.”

They walked on.

“Sounds like you’ve had a busy morning,” Noah remarked.

McKenzie grinned. “Time and tide wait for no man.”

“Perez okay?” Noah asked.

“Aye, she was at work. Safe and sound.”

“Good.” Noah opened the door on his Bronco and climbed in. Every fiber of his muscles ached from the cold.

“Where are you going?”

Noah glanced at him as he slammed the door closed. “Home. To bed. To get some shut-eye.”

“But I thought—” He waved back at the scene.

“That I wanted to close the case? It’s already in the bag. Literally.”Noah handed him the bagged evidence out of the window. “You just need to work your magic in the interview room. Make a convincing argument. That shouldn’t be too hard for a veteran like yourself. I mean, you saved a life, right? The rest should be a walk in the park,” Noah said, firing up the engine.

McKenzie glanced at Callie as if she might stick around.

“Don’t look at me. I’ve been up all night too. Your shift has just started, mine’s over.”

“I worked late last night.”

“Late. Yeah. We worked all night.” She motioned to Noah. “Can I catch a ride?”

“Jump in.”

“But… but…” McKenzie said. “The paperwork. I thought we were partners?”

“We are. In some parallel universe.”

“Noah. C’mon, lad.”

“Like you said — us State guys roll in and roll out. This is me rolling out.”

“I was just yanking your chain…”

“Smile, McKenzie. You’re at the helm. You’ve got this. Oh, and before I forget… Happy Thanksgiving,” Noah said, winking at him as he reversed, swung the Bronco around and left him behind, grumbling in a plume of grit.

Callie nudged him on the way out. “You are a devil.”

“Always need a little yin and yang.” He pulled out onto the highway, yawning as a bright sun bathed his face. “How are you spending Thanksgiving, Thorne?”

“My sister is back in town.”

“From California?”

“Yeah. Not sure for how long, so I’ll be catching up with her. You?”

He took a deep breath, realizing where he’d agreed to go. “Hugh Sutherland’s.”

She snorted as she twisted open a bottle of water and brought it up to her lips. “Best of luck with that,” she muttered before she let out a tired laugh.